The Dynamo used targeted allocation money to complete the 12-month loan and have the option to make the move permanent at the end of the loan period.

“We are pleased to be adding a player with the quality of Juan David Cabezas to our roster. His physical presence, winning mentality and ability to recover balls in the midfield will be a welcomed addition to our group,” Dynamo general manager Matt Jordan said in a news release. “He is entering the prime of his career and has played a key role in the midfield for two of the top clubs in South America, and he is eager to contribute to the success of our team as we prepare for the 2017 season.”

The 25-year-old midfielder spent 2016 with Deportivo Independiente Medellin, which won the 2016 Apertura championship, playing in 29 games with 17 starts. He played the prior season and a half with Deportivo Cali, and had earlier loan spells at Cucuta Deportivo, La Equidad and Once Caldas.

“Juan David is very hungry and excited to come to the Houston Dynamo. It is important for us to have a player with the ability to win the ball in the middle of the field, and he brings that quality to the team,” Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera said.

Cabezas featured at the Under-20 level in 2011 for Colombia but has not been capped at the senior level.